Stoke Receives Grant
Author: John Hahn, STOKE
John Hahn
STOKE
Teddy Lewis, a STOKE board director and pottery instructor, requested the STOKE organization purchase a pug mill to recycle all the pottery scrapings and discarded clay from the many pottery classes, mistakes, and over productions from the last year or so.
The pottery project has been gaining in popularity and STOKE has been partnering with the school to provide some after-school classes for some of the kids signed up for the 21st Century program, grades 3-6, for the past couple of years, along with our regular STOKE kids and adults, so we go through a lot of clay. The kids really love it, and many have shown some real talent and have made some amazing and creative pieces. But with many clay projects, creativity and experimenting, comes wastage. One thing about clay, if it doesn’t become contaminated or hasn't been fired, it can be reclaimed and reused.
Clay can be reclaimed by hand and Teddy has done some but it’s very labor intensive and time consuming. Hence the need for a pug mill. Clay is expensive so reclaiming it makes sense. Teddy would also like to find some local clay to try and use for pottery. With the pug mill, he will be able to experiment with these local clays to see if they might be worth working with. This will also teach the kids the historical aspect of the process. If you know of some local clay deposits, let us know.
For those of you who are trying to imagine just what this pug mill looks like, imagine an oversized, heavy-duty meat grinder and you will be close. This is also very expensive at a delivered cost of $6732. It has been ordered but not delivered yet, hopefully by April.
This is why STOKE applied for a grant from the Broadwater Community Foundation (BFC). The BCF board reviewed the application and determined that this was an item that could benefit STOKE and the community. We and the community are pleased and thankful that they are helping to fund this.
The Broadwater Community Foundation is part of the statewide Montana Community Foundation (MCF). The BCF makes a recommendation to the MCF, and the funds come from MCF if approved. The grant we received was $3000, the maximum allowed. If anyone else would like to contribute towards the purchase of the pug mill, or any of our other many projects, we are a 501 (c)3 nonprofit, and donations may be used as a tax deduction.
All of STOKE’s programs are FREE for kids 18 and under. Adults and families are encouraged to participate in specific programs such as pottery. Please check out our website at stokemt.org.
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PhotoCredit: STOKE
Image 1 Caption: STOKE Directors John Hahn and Teddy Lewis receive check from Broadwater Community Foundation Director John Rains.
Photo Provided by STOKE
Image 2 Caption: Amazing Pottery created by an eight-year-old
Photo Provided by STOKE
